African National Prayer Day Celebrated September 19-21 In Washington
WASHINGTON—African Catholics and others will convene September 19-21, in Washington for African National Prayer Day. The annual gathering, which is free and open to the public, serves as an opportunity for worship and reflection on the presence, role and influence of African Catholics in the Church in United States.
The event is sponsored by the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church (SCDC) of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the Bishops’ Sub-committee on Pastoral Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers (PCMRT) and the National Association of African Catholics in the United States (NAACUS).
The gathering will include round table discussions, concerts, liturgies, charismatic prayer, traditional African food and art exhibits in several locations. Close to 1,000 are expected to be in attendance at the main event, the Eucharistic celebration on Saturday, September 20, at 1 p.m. at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Zaccheus Okoth of Kisumu, Kenya, and concelebrated by Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington, Va., and Bishop Menghesteab Tesfamariam, Abune of Asmara, Eritrea.
Participants will explore the meaning and implications of being Catholic within a multicultural society and the type of actions necessary to promote and sustain such an environment. African Catholics will have the opportunity to share thoughts and reflections on the influence their cultures have in the Church in the United States, talk about their present and future role in the Church and listen to the thoughts of several prelates from Africa and the United States. The gathering is also a medium for the National Association of African Catholics to introduce itself to African Catholic communities and an opportunity for dialogue with the Catholic hierarchy.
Those seeking further information may contact Sister Joanna Okereke, at
jokereke@usccb.org or call 202-541-3359.